The 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session began Monday with over 1,300 bills proposed.
The session began with Governor Jeff Landry giving his State of the State Address before the House and Senate. Gov. Landry highlighted the accomplishments of the government in the past year and laid out his agenda for this session.
“They begged us to reform systems that were no longer serving our people,” Gov. Landry said. “To change the trajectory of an economy held back by tired policies and to make unmistakably clear that the Louisiana Government works for the taxpayers and that the taxpayers don’t work for the government.”
Chief among the Governor’s agenda was getting voters to approve Amendment Three in the upcoming election, which will provide a pay raise to teachers in Louisiana.
“Passing Amendment Three lets our teachers know that Louisiana stands by them,” Gov. Landry said. “With a yes vote, we can strengthen the retirement system, improve their take home pay and guess what, we can do it without raising taxes.”
While it was not mentioned in the Governor’s speech, one controversial bill sitting in the legislature is House Bill 99. Written by Representative Danny McCormick, the bill would allow for open carry of firearms at both public and private universities.
When asked about the bill, Student Body President Lavar Henderson says he believes LSU administration will make students’ opinions heard.
“I trust LSU’s [government relations] team and the president to meet with the legislature to make sure that what we feel as students is very accurately portrayed,” Henderson said.
Another bill that has more enthusiasm behind it is House Bill 838 from Representative Larry Bagley, which would end the use of inspection stickers in the state.
“The traditional inspection sticker process is annoying,” Gov. Landry said. “It’s inconvenient, it serves little value to the safety of our roads and to the state agencies that interact with our motorist. We ask that you replace it with a QR code sticker for only $6.”
With many more bills proposed that effect LSU students, President Henderson encourages students to keep in touch with what happens at the Capitol.
“LSU students should always stay civically engaged no matter what,” Henderson said. “This is your future and as the governor says, ‘the government works for the taxpayers, taxpayers don’t work for the government’ so I think that’s something for all LSU students to remember.”
The 2026 Legislative Session will end on June 1.
